Local News – Thursday, November 21st, 2019
The Salem Memorial District Hospital held their regular meeting Tuesday night at the hospital library. Mark McElvy from the Information Technology Department described what goes on in his department, and Betty Bean who is the new director of the revenue cycle for the hospital was introduced to the board. Hospital Chief Financial Officer Monica Stogsdill gave the report for the month of October. During the month, the hospital with 120 admissions with an average of 14.8 acute care patients per day. She also said there was 1,791 outpatient registrations, 2,449 cardiopulmonary procedures, 8,494 lab tests, 1,453 radiology procedures, 834 rehabilitation treatments, 29 surgeries, 298 home health visits and 778 emergency room visits. There were 239 ambulance runs for the month with 166 patients transported and 73 dry runs. The hospital showed a gain from operations of $33,784 and had revenues over expenses after taxes of $35,006. Reviewing the operating expenses, Stogsdill pointed out the continued contractual services for floor RN’s, physicians and billing services brought in a large expense during the month. The days in net accounts receivable rose to 75 from 73 while the changeover in processing accounts is being done. The hospital did have an increase in the cash account of $253,191 so cash on hand increased to 46 days. Chief Nursing Officer Debbie Hines reported on the Community Health Needs Assessment meeting from October 30th where that committee continues to address needs indicated by the community survey that need to improved in our area like obesity in adults and diabetes, plus smoking and other health related risks to smoking. The Hospital Auxiliary had ten members at their meeting inn November and they discussed 2020 fundraisers. Their next meeting will be held on December 3rd at noon at JB Malone’s as it will be their holiday luncheon. Chief Executive Officer Kasey Lucas reported that the Hospital Foundation will be holding their “Dancing with the Salem Stars” on January 25 at the SHS Gym and they have 14 couples signed up. They will also have a Golf Tournament on June 5th and a Wings and Strings event on September 12th. The hospital continues to do their CPR training and first responder training with the Salem Police Department, Dent County Sheriff’s Department and the Dent County Fire Protection District. A Stroke Support group is meeting quarterly on the 3rd Tuesday at 1:00 at the hospital library, and a Diabetes Support group is meeting the 4th Tuesday of each month at 1:00 pm at the hospital library. It was also reported that the hospital had donated all the food for the participant’s breakfast, pre-marathon meal and the post marathon dinner for the Heroes Marathon. The hospital also had hydration stations along the route. The board approved the Medical Staff recommendations for Courtesy Staff Privileges for Dr. Shukri Abdullah, MD in the Emergency Department as well as Robert Fischer, MD; John Mattingly, MD; and Robert Gresick, MD for Teleradiology. The first phase of the renovation in Long-Term Care is about complete as the secondary bathroom is all but finished, and the moving of the beauty shop and the change of some offices is nearing completion. CEO Kasey Lucas has said the hospital’s request for proposal letters needs to be revised with updated requirements through Piper Jaffray. As a reminder for the next meeting, Lucas said the hospital board will meet at noon on December 10th. Lucas also said the filing for the District 1 hospital seat currently occupied by Judy Thompson will have filings beginning December 17th at 8:00 in the morning until January 21st at 4:00 in the afternoon. The board then went into closed session.
The City of Salem Planning and Zoning Commission will be holding a public hearing Thursday evening in the City Hall Council Chambers starting at 6:30 to review the planning and zoning chapter 400 dealing with a winery, microbrewery and meadery. Following the public hearing, a meeting will be held. The public hearing and the meeting are both open to the public.
The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting tonight at 6:00 at the District Administrative Offices Boardroom. Superintendent John McColloch will discuss parent-teacher conferences, give an update on the internship program and provide a health insurance update. After the principals report from all the schools, the board will discuss and approve the auditor’s report and set the board election filing dates. The board wil also hear any resignations before the go into closed session to discuss personnel. The Salem R-80 Board of Education meeting Thursday is open to the public.
A one vehicle accident happened Wednesday morning, at 6:30 in Texas County about four miles east of Licking on Route W. According to the report released from the highway patrol, a 2003 Chevrolet Tracker being driven by 49-year old Barbara Williams of Licking was eastbound when the vehicle traveled off the left side of the roadway and overturned. Williams, who was wearing a safety restraint at the time of the accident, was taken by ambulance to the Texas County Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The Chevrolet was totaled and was towed from the scene by a private vehicle.